Smart oscillating positive expiratory pressure device

Abstract

An oscillating positive expiratory pressure system including an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device having a chamber, an input component in communication with the chamber, wherein the input component is operative to sense a flow and/or pressure and generate an input signal correlated to the flow or pressure, a processor operative to receive the input signal from the input component and generate an output signal, and an output component operative to receive the output signal, and display an output.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An oscillating positive expiratory pressure system comprising:
 an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device comprising an inhalation port and a mouthpiece defining a chamber, wherein the chamber and the inhalation port are separated by a one-way valve; 
 a first sensor in communication with the chamber, wherein the first sensor is configured to sense an exhalation flow and/or pressure and generate a first input signal correlated to the exhalation flow or pressure; 
 a second sensor in communication with the inhalation port, wherein the second sensor is configured to sense an inhalation flow and/or pressure and generate a second input signal correlated to the inhalation flow or pressure; 
 a processor configured to receive and compare the first and second input signals from the first and second sensors and generate an I:E value, wherein the processor is configured to compare the I:E value with an upper limit and a lower limit; and 
 an output component configured to: (1) provide a first feedback when the I:E value is greater than the upper limit, (2) provide a second feedback when the I:E value is less than the lower limit, and (3) provide a third feedback when the I:E value is equal to or between the upper and lower limits. 
 
     
     
       2. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface configured to allow user selection of the upper and lower limits. 
     
     
       3. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor comprises a flow sensor. 
     
     
       4. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       5. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the output component comprises a visual output. 
     
     
       6. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 5  wherein the visual output comprises an LED array mounted on the oscillating positive expiratory pressure device and configured to: (1) provide the first feedback, (2) provide the second feedback, and (3) provide the third feedback. 
     
     
       7. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the output component comprises an audible output. 
     
     
       8. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the output component comprises a vibratory output. 
     
     
       9. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the output component comprises a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       10. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the output component comprises a mobile device in wireless communication with the oscillating positive expiratory pressure device. 
     
     
       11. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 10  wherein the mobile device comprises an auxiliary input component. 
     
     
       12. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 11  wherein the mobile device comprises the processor. 
     
     
       13. A method of using an oscillating positive expiratory pressure system comprising:
 exhaling into a chamber of an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device; 
 sensing an exhalation flow and/or pressure during the exhaling with a first sensor in communication with the chamber; 
 generating a first input signal correlated to the exhalation flow or pressure; 
 inhaling through the oscillating positive expiratory pressure device and drawing air through a one-way valve from an inhalation port separated from the chamber by the one-way valve; 
 sensing an inhalation flow and/or pressure during the inhaling with a second sensor in communication with the inhalation port; 
 generating a second input signal correlated to the inhalation flow or pressure; 
 receiving the first and second input signals with a processor and generating an I:E value; 
 comparing the I:E value with an upper limit and a lower limit; 
 providing a first feedback when the I:E value is greater than the upper limit; 
 providing a second feedback when the I:E value is less than the lower limit; and 
 providing a third feedback when the I:E value is equal to or between the upper and lower limits. 
 
     
     
       14. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor is disposed in the chamber and the second sensor is disposed in the inhalation port. 
     
     
       15. The oscillating positive expiratory pressure system of  claim 14  wherein the first and second sensors are separated by the one-way valve. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  further comprising adjusting a resistance of the oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in response to receiving the first or second feedback. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13  wherein
 providing the first feedback comprises providing the first feedback on an LED array; 
 providing the second feedback comprises providing the second feedback on the LED array; and 
 providing the third feedback comprises providing the third feedback on the LED array.